Raising a Goldendoodle from a puppy has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our family, though it has certainly come with its share of learning curves, especially with such a large breed! Waffles, our 10-month-old Goldendoodle, has quadrupled in size since we first brought him home. He has lost all of his puppy teeth and has now become a rather enthusiastic chewer.
Keeping Waffles entertained and distracted with suitable chew toys has been a significant challenge. He has a remarkable ability to destroy even the most durable toys, seemingly taking great pleasure in the process. After investing considerable time and money in various toys, I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best dog toys for Goldendoodles, as tested and approved by Waffles himself.
The toys featured on this list have all withstood at least a month of rigorous testing in our home. Each one has been thoroughly examined by Waffles through intense chewing and play sessions. It’s important to note that I have intentionally excluded flimsy, “throw-away” plush toys from this ranking. While I do offer Waffles smaller plush toys as occasional rewards, such as after a grooming session or for good behavior in public, these inexpensive items are short-lived. In those instances, I closely supervise him until the toy is no longer intact, ensuring he doesn’t accidentally ingest the small plastic squeaker hidden within.
No. 5 | Classic KONG (Medium)
Coming in at number five is the Classic KONG. Throughout my childhood, our family dogs always had a KONG toy to keep them occupied. Despite Waffles being a vigorous chewer, the medium-sized Classic KONG has proven to be remarkably durable. His favorite pastime involves grasping the toy in his mouth, tossing it on the ground, and delighting in its unpredictable bounces. I highly recommend this toy to all dog owners. It’s available in three different sizes, and there’s even an EXTREME version specifically designed for super aggressive chewers, ensuring a long-lasting play experience.
No. 4 | JW Hol-ee Roller Ball
Waffles has a tendency to chew up and lose his tennis balls, prompting me to search for a more robust alternative. I scoured Chewy.com for reviews of durable balls and discovered the JW Hol-ee Roller Ball. Fortunately, my local Target carried them, so I purchased one for Waffles. He absolutely adores this ball! It’s ideal for tug-of-war and possesses a gentle bounce when thrown, making it safe for indoor games of fetch without causing damage. This has been a fantastic, budget-friendly find that has outlasted half a dozen other balls.
No. 3 | Nylabone Dental Dinosaur Chew
While Waffles enjoys edible chews, I was seeking a longer-lasting option for him to gnaw on. I consulted SparkysSpots.com for research on durable chew toys, and this dinosaur chew received an impressive 8/10 rating on their site. I’ve always been a fan of Nylabone products but was unaware they offered such charming dinosaur-themed toys. We were fortunate to find this brontosaurus at Marshall’s for a mere $4.99. Waffles is completely enamored with this chew toy, and its wear is beginning to show. Although it’s on the smaller side, this doesn’t seem to diminish his enthusiasm. We will certainly purchase another one once this toy becomes too worn to be safe.
No. 2 | BARK Blowfish Dog Toy
Did you know that BarkBox offers toys for separate purchase outside of their subscription service? I was unaware of this until I started noticing their innovative toys appearing at Target stores. I’m consistently impressed by their unique dog toy designs. Many of their toys are not what they initially seem. The blowfish toy has a plush exterior, but once your dog manages to tear through the outer layer, a spiky blue ball is revealed, completely free of stuffing! It took Waffles several months to discover he could breach the outer covering. Surprisingly, he seems to favor the blue ball even more than the blowfish itself and plays with it almost daily.
No. 1 | Nylabone Dura Chew Barbell
Finally, we arrive at the ultimate favorite. Waffles’ number one toy pick is this Nylabone Dura Chew Barbell. It’s a mystery why he’s so attached to it, but he actually received it as a hand-me-down from his “Uncle Rocket,” my border collie. Waffles carries this toy with him constantly, moving it from room to room and chewing on it whenever he settles down. This is unequivocally his most cherished toy, and fortunately for us, it is quite affordable. While I believe my mother originally purchased this from Chewy.com, we will be reordering it on Amazon.com for the same price, complete with free 2-day shipping thanks to our Prime membership.
We sincerely hope you found our guide to the Top 5 Best Dog Toys for Goldendoodles helpful. Please share your own recommendations in the comments below, or let us know if any of these toys are also favorites among your canine companions!
